The well known phrase 'slow and steady wins the race' might not actually be the best motto to live by for those looking to lose weight.

Scientists are now advising against slow but sure dieting in favour of rapid weight loss methods.

They also found evidence which suggests that the idea of shedding too many pounds too fast - which then leads to a cycle of "yo-yo" dieting - is actually a myth.

Losing weight quickly is the best way to achieve slimming goals and not likely to result in greater weight regain than the slow approach, scientists said.

The findings contradict current dietary recommendations that favour slow and steady weight loss.

Australian researcher Katrina Purcell, from the University of Melbourne, said: "Across the world, guidelines recommend gradual weight loss for the treatment of obesity, reflecting the widely held belief that fast weight loss is more quickly regained.

"However, our results show that achieving a weight loss target of 12.5% is more likely, and drop-out is lower, if losing weight is done quickly."

Breakdown products of fat burning, called ketones, can suppress feelings of hunger.

Losing weight quickly might also motivate people to persist with dieting and achieve better results, the researchers said.

Commenting on the research in the journal, Dr Corbin Martin and Professor Kishore Gadde, from Pennington Biomedical Research Centre in Baton Rouge, US, wrote: "The study indicates that for weight loss, a slow and steady approach does not win the race, and the myth that rapid weight loss is associated with rapid weight regain is no more true than Aesop's (tortoise and hare) fable.

They added: "Clinicians should bear in mind that different weight loss approaches might be suitable for different patients in the management of clinical obesity, and that efforts to curb the speed of initial weight loss might hinder their ultimate weight loss success."

British dietary expert Professor Susan Jebb, from Oxford University, said: "This is an important and well conducted study.

"It shows clearly that the common claim that more rapid initial weight loss is associated with more rapid regain is false.

"This is important because it will enable professionals to recommend a broader range of treatment options so that people may be more likely to find the one that is best suited to their lifestyle.